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March 29, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"More Parents Snub MMR Vaccinations;  Health:  Demand Rises for Single Jab" Western Mail (library.dialog.com/sourcebook/newsline/western

mail.html) (03/29/02) P. 10; Fletcher, Patrick

Statistics released earlier this week in Wales reveal that more parents than ever are challenging physicians on the necessity of vaccinating their children against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).  The average compliance rate dropped to 82.9 percent during the first three months of the year, a decline of 1.6 percent since the fourth quarter last year.  In the meantime, physicians and health officials continue to maintain their support of the MMR injection as being the best and safest method for parents to protect their children against the diseases that can leave victims brain damaged or dead.  The vaccination rate began slipping after a highly controversial study suggested a link between MMR and autism.  The survey of family physicians did reveal that there had been a increase in the demand for a single shot against the measles, and in many of those cases, doctors had been able to persuade the parents to accept the MMR.

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.